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Raven K Starre Leaves MonaVie For Agel

Raven Starre was arguably the first star of MonaVie.  She had a large online presence along with her (former) husband Calvenn, collectively known as "The Starre Team". The couple claimed to personally enroll over 200 people in 6 weeks, during the early free sign up days prior to MonaVie's official launch.

Twitter is all a twit about her leaving MonaVie for Agel.

From her Google Profile:

At the age of 18, Raven rose to the top of a billion dollar MLM company and was featured on national television. 

 She has built three multi-million dollar MLM distributorships, in 1995, 1998 and again in 2005. Over her career, Raven has consistently been in the top 1% of MLM, Network Marketing and/or Home Based Business. 

A sought-after speaker and trainer, Raven created the leading-edge Network Marketing training program "Recruiting Magic." This has become one of the most acclaimed audio programs in MLM. 

She has taught thousands of entrepreneurs how to build successful organizations. 

 Raven is currently one of the highest earning single women in the history of the MLM profession, with over 70,000 distributors in her network.

Fair trade?  Raven Starre for Randy Schroeder?

Monavie trys to sue Blogger

By Dan Mitchell, MLM Blog Correspondent

From Lazy Man and Money:

For those who don't know, MonaVie is a juice, that retails for $1.70 an ounce (yes ounce). Being the consumer advocate that I am, I wrote that I think MonaVie is a scam since it's around $1500-$2000 a year per person and has no proven health benefits. (In fact, only people associated with MonaVie even allege that it's healthy and never address that for less money you could buy healthier foods.) My critical article has been pretty popular, somehow gathering a few devoted followers who have added new research on a daily or weekly basis. That has helped it rank on the first page of Google for the company's own term, "MonaVie".

With that in mind, MonaVie sent me a cease and desist on the article. It's not really a surprise to me, as I'm sure have this criticism in such prime real estate as Google is not good for their business. In fact, I'm proud that my criticism is apparently costing them enough sales where they feel they need to do something (however far-fetched) to shut me up.

Here's the e-mail that they sent to the company that does the private registration on my domain:

Subject: Trademark Infringement

Dear Domains by Proxy, Inc.:

MonaVie LLC (MonaVie) has been informed of the website(s) http://www.lazymanandmoney.com/monavie-scam-was-my-wife-recruited-sell-snake-oil/ registered through Go Daddy Domains. As the registrant, MonaVie asks that you remove all references to MonaVie and its products.

As a network marketing company MonaVie does not permit its name to be used in any URL or email address and the company must take necessary action to protect its intellectual property. It is not permitted for a third party vendor to use the MonaVie trade name in any form.

The MonaVie name and symbol are registered trademarks. (U.S. Reg. Nos. 3111333, 3111332, 78526279). MonaVie's federal registration of these trademarks provides MonaVie with the right to restrict the use of the trademark, or a confusingly similar trademark, in any way that misrepresents the origin of MonaVie's products or dilutes the MonaVie brand and goodwill associated therewith.

State and federal law supports our position that the use of MonaVie's trademarks and proprietary copyrighted material may cause confusion among customers. This confusion may cause substantial harm to the trademark by facilitating the loss of its effectiveness in establishing a distinct association between it, MonaVie's products & services, and MonaVie's goodwill. Your unauthorized use of MonaVie's federally registered trademarks amounts to an infringement of MonaVie's trademark rights.

MonaVie wishes to settle this situation amicably and therefore, requests that you immediately cease the use of our trade name MonaVie. Additionally, we request that you respond to this email within seven (7) days to confirm this action via email to: [Editor's note: e-mail address erased].

Failure to comply with our requests may result in legal recourse to protect our vested interests in the aforementioned trademarks and trade names. Should you have any questions, please contact me at the following number [Editor's Note: Phone number removed].

Respectfully,
Heather Seamons

Distributor Compliance Specialist

Do Oprah and Dr. Oz endorse Monavie Air?

By Dan Mitchell, MLM Blog Correspondent

I almost fell off my chair laughing when I read this...enjoy!

From Amthrax:

In my previous post, I believed that the next product from Dallin Larceny and MonaVie would be a sugar-free version of MonaVie Emv.

Yet, I have just been handed this top-secret document detailing the real next product to come from Mount MonaVie.

Working closely with the Black Diamond Deities, God… err… Dallin… is ready to release an amazing new supplement that will sustain you throughout the day.

You… absolutely… cannot… live… without…

MONA•VIE AIR

Here is the description of MonaVie Air:

MonaVie Air is a proprietary blend of oxygen and carbon dioxide retrieved from the forests of the Amazon and the United States. Acai berries, waiting to be harvested and turned into MonaVie juice concentrate and MonaVie Emv lovingly emit carbon dioxide and stored in our wonderful plastic MonaVie Air bags. But that’s not all! MonaVie has signed up your favorite Black Diamonds: Orrin and Laurie Woodward, Brig and Lita Hart, Robert Dean, Randy Schroeder, and many more, to provide their breaths into each and every package of MonaVie Air.

“To show their dedication to the MonaVie cause,” Larsen explains, “every distributor, upon reaching the lofty rank of Black Diamond, not only receives the Mercedes, the big check, but also a Black Diamond MonaVie Air Extractor. This machine collects their breaths, processes it, and stores it safely for future injection into MonaVie Air bags.”

Additionally, Dallin Larsen himself is providing a drop of his man sweat, taken from MonaVie Regionals and Super Regionals across the globe, in each bag.

MonaVie Air provides that which you need to survive in each $5/bag. The recommended daily usage is to breath one bag in the morning and one bag right before bed. The essence of Larsen, combined with the wonderful breaths of Black Diamonds, coupled with the acai infused carbon dioxide, and, of course, oxygen, will power you through the day and night, allowing you and your family to reach their dreams.

“For many people, breathing MonaVie Air is as close they are ever going to get to being a Black Diamond,” proudly states Orrin Woodward. “In fact, I’ve made a deal with my good friend, Dallin Larsen, to include a coupon for one TEAM CD in every case of MonaVie Air. Distributors will be able to get a free CD of my latest sermon by returning the voucher to my compound in Port St. Lucie, Florida. Tax and shipping charges will apply, of course. After all, I have four kids to feed!”

MonaVie Air: Smell It, Breathe It, Share It.

MonaVie Air will be available April 1, 2010. Cost per bag for distributors is $5/bag. A case of 24 bags will cost $120. Suggested retail price per bag and case is $10 and $240 respectively. You can pre-order your case of MonaVie Air today. Warning, supplies will be limited, but your orders will eventually be fulfilled.

Does the Oprah Dr. Oz Lawsuit Against MonaVie Have Merit?

I posted some comments made by MonaVie about the Oprah, Dr. Oz MonaVie Lawsuit, here is one that stuck out to me:

"We really feel like we're the victims of these Internet scammers every bit as much as Oprah is a victim of them," said Thorpe. "Monavie really created the açai business in the United States ... And it's really [Internet scammers] trading on our good name."

What a reader finds interesting about these comments is that if you do a Google search for "MonaVie, Oprah, Dr. Oz", you will find over 92,000 search results.  

(Also note the picture on the above right).

Now we can be sure that not all of the search results are from the recent lawsuit.  

These search results indicate that MonaVie distributors have been using the name of Oprah and Dr. Oz for a long time.

In fact, I posted a press release from a MonaVie distributor that worked to connect the three terms back in February of 2008.

Earlier this month, Doctor Oz featured the acai berry on the Oprah show. The berry, found only in the Amazon rainforest, was part of his “ultimate anti-aging checklist.”"It has twice the antioxidants as a blueberry”, claims Dr. Oz. “Monavie” is an acai berry juice blend sold by independent distributors like Randy Woodward of Fresno.

This is nothing new, really. MonaVie has a history of overlooking these types of things for the sake of growth.  

See: MonaVie: The Culture Of Claims and MonaVie and Celadrin

Oprah and Dr. Oz MonaVie Lawsuit

This is from the Salt Lake Tribune, the first response I have seen from MonaVie...

Salt Lake Tribune:

A top official at Monavie said Friday it was mistakenly put on the list of "Internet scammers" who trade on the reputation of the açai as a health-promoting berry the company makes into a drink product. CFO Devin Thorpe said the company did not promote free trials of products, had a liberal money-back policy and did not say or imply that Winfrey or Oz had endorsed the Monavie açai-based juice. 

"We really feel like we're the victims of these Internet scammers every bit as much as Oprah is a victim of them," said Thorpe. "Monavie really created the açai business in the United States ... And it's really [Internet scammers] trading on our good name."

You can see a copy of the actual MonaVie Oprah Dr. Oz Lawsuit here.

MonaVie Sued By Oprah and Dr. Oz

The Oprah Blog:

Oprah Winfrey and America's favorite physician -- Dr. Memhet Oz -- want you to know they don't endorse dozens of açaí berry products that claim their seal of approval -- and they're suing to prove it. "Many Americans have seen images of me, and Oprah and others supporting, it would appear, products that actually don't work in the ways that are described," Oz said in an exclusive interview Thursday with ABC's "Good Morning America." "And more importantly, when consumers trusting us try to buy these products over the Web, what they end up getting are fake products, pills that don't really have what's promised in them. They're often duped into paying more than they should. If my picture is next to a product, endorsing it and supporting your purchase of it, I did not give them permission." 

Winfrey and Oz have filed suit against 40 companies either selling açaí or related products, with their name endorsements on them. 

According to their complaint, such companies are "fabricating quotes or falsely purporting to speak in Dr. Oz's and/or Ms. Winfrey's voice about specific brands and products that neither of them has endorsed." 

"Consumers should be aware that neither Oprah Winfrey nor Dr. Oz are associated with nor do they endorse any açaí berry product, company or online solicitation of such products, including MonaVie juice products," a statement read on Winfrey's Web site. "Neither Oprah nor Dr. Oz are associated with nor do they endorse any specific resveratrol product, company or online solicitation of such products. Any companies that misrepresent their affiliation are making false claims."

Download Oprah-vs-monavie (The Lawsuit)

Comparing Network Marketing Compensation Plans: MonaVie vs. Efusjon vs. Arbonne vs. Xango vs. EIRO

I recently saw some interesting numbers about a handful of Network Marketing compensation plans. The comparison took a business built in the suggested method with 5,000 points of volume. You will see that most companies do not pay very well on the front end (if at all). Feel free to do your own research evaluating the compensation plans listed here. 

MonaVie  

5,000 Points 


Approximate Wholesale Cost of Product: $6,000-$12,000


Personal Order: $220


Bonus: $316*

Percentage Paid: 5.2%


Compensation Plan: Binary


(Bonus money is assuming that volume is perfectly balanced, in most cases it is not) 

Efusjon  


Approximate Wholesale Cost of Product: $5,000


Personal Order: $120


Bonus: $71.30*


Percentage Paid: 1.2%


Compensation Plan: Matrix

(Some associates carry multiple positions (up to 15) so the personal order might be significantly higher)
 

Arbonne 

5,000 Points


Approximate Wholesale Cost of Product: $7,462

Personal Order: $149


Bonus: $196.61*


Percentage Paid: 2.6%


Compensation Plan: Stair-step Breakaway 

Xango

5,000 Points


Approximate Wholesale Cost of Product: $6,000


Personal Order: $120/$240


Bonus: $300*

Percentage Paid: 5%


Compensation Plan: Straight Unilevel 

EIRO  

5,000 Points


Approximate Wholesale Cost of Product: $5,617


Personal Order: $140


Bonus: $1216.73** 


Percentage Paid: 21.6%


Compensation Plan: Unilevel Hybrid


* Payout based on compensation plan perspective.

** Actual average payout to those with 5,000 points.

Facebook Meets Weight Loss

Social Media Meets Weight Loss

Coming This Fall - Get Positioned

http://www.ty.ieiro.com

MonaVie EMVA Launches - Does Anyone Care?

By Dan Mitchell, MLM Blog Correspondent

If I was active in an MLM it certainly wouldn't be Monavie. But I'll give them credit for out-Xangoing Xango. The products look awesome...but if you're looking for extra energy I'd take a look at your diet and maybe get off the couch and exercise.


This from FoodBev.com:

The new drink is a fusion of the acai berry and natural energy ingredients designed to deliver a boost of sustained energy to recharge body and mind.

According to MonaVie founder, chairman and CEO Dallin A Larsen, the new product is revolutionary in the functional beverage category and will be a welcome point of entry to the company’s signature acai nutritional beverages.

“With MonaVie EMV,” said Larsen, “millions of consumers will find a healthy alternative to soft drinks and overly caffeinated energy drinks.”

MonaVie EMV officially launches in the US on 20 June 2009 at MonaVie’s Salt Lake City Super Regional event. Consumers first caught a glimpse of the product’s brilliant blue packaging as the EMV branded race car, driven by veteran racer Tomas Scheckter, roared onto the track at the Indy 500 this past May.

“MonaVie EMV delivers the perfect equation for healthy, sustained energy without the ‘crash and burn’ side effects typically associated with energy drinks,” said vice president of product management, Jeff Graham. “Consumers – from the busy soccer mom to the extreme snowboarder – are looking for ways to increase their energy levels, and EMV provides the solution.”

Read more...

MonaVie Founder Dallin A. Larsen Named Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year 2009

By Dan Mitchell, MLM Blog Correspondent

This from Monavie:

SALT LAKE CITY---MonaVie, maker of the premier blend of the Brazilian acai berry, today announces that Dallin A. Larsen received the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year® Award in the Distribution and Manufacturing category in the Utah Region. According to Ernst & Young LLP, the award recognizes outstanding entrepreneurs who are building and leading dynamic, growing businesses. Larsen was selected by an independent panel of judges, and the award was presented at a gala event at the Salt Palace Convention Center on June 12, 2009.

“I’m grateful to be involved in an industry where we talk about going from success to significance,” says MonaVie founder, chairman and CEO Dallin A. Larsen. “As CEO of a company, I know of the challenges, sacrifices, and determination it takes, and I believe that as we become more blessed we should become more of a blessing.”

MonaVie is a direct seller of nutritional beverages made from unique blends of nature’s superfruits. Launched in 2005, MonaVie was created by a team of partners with extensive backgrounds in network marketing and health products. Cumulative sales topped $1 billion in 2008, and MonaVie now operates in 10 countries, with international expansion continuing.

“We are proud to recognize the achievements of Dallin A. Larsen,” said David Jolley, Ernst & Young LLP Entrepreneur Of The Year Program Director for the Utah Region. “Award recipients of the Entrepreneur Of The Year award build leading businesses and contribute significantly to the strength of our region’s economy. Their success helps our area grow stronger.”

Scheckter to Quit Racing, Become Monavie Salesman

By Dan Mitchell, MLM Blog Correspondent

This from The Other Side:

Sources at The Other Side have learned that Tomas Scheckter's big announcement tomorrow is in fact not what people are expecting.

People around the country are waiting on Tomas to announce either his part time or full time entry into the Indycar Series for the rest of 2009 with either Dreyer & Reinbold Racing or Dale Coyne Racing. However, we have learned that Mr. Scheckter will do just the opposite.

"He's done, he has found a new passion and we can't figure out why" said a source who asked to remain anonymous since nothing has been announced yet. "It is like that Monavie stuff has brainwashed him. He went into a meeting with the founder of Monavie with a Monavie Gel in hand, and walked out of the meeting a different person."

Tomorrow, Tomas will announce that he is taking a short hiatus from racing to pursue his new goal, being the top Monavie Salesman in North America.

Apparently, part of his deal to run the Indianapolis 500 included him becoming a key distributor and salesman of Monavie products. As you can see above, Tomas was a walking billboard for the start up company during the last week of May as he pushed Monavie on everyone.

Further evidence of his decision to leave racing for the foreseeable future hit Twitter earlier today as Tomas was advertising job openings in his distribution team through tweets.